With the support of the Embassy of Viet Nam in the United Kingdom (UK), the delegation of Da Nang’s officials, led by municipal People's Committee Standing Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh recently had a working session with representatives of the Birmingham government and the Aston University.

Da Nang People's Committee Standing Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh (left) presenting a souvenir gift to a representative of the Birmingham City government.

During his meeting with Director of International Affairs Department of Birmingham City Lloyd Broad, Vice Chairman Minh briefed the host on his city’s cooperation potential and opportunities in the spheres of economy, culture, sports and education - training.

The Da Nang visitor asked for support from the Birmingham government, and British partners, to open the Birmingham - Da Nang direct air route in the future; as well as promote the city’s images and call on potential investors to invest in the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park, and in fields of information technology, tourism and commerce.

Special attention should be paid to connecting the Aston University with Da Nang-based universities in a bid to link training human resources in international finance and Fintech.

Mr. Minh hoped that the Aston Villa and SHB Da Nang football clubs will foster the training of young football talents, and improve the coaching and physical skills for Da Nang football.

Representatives of the two sides signing the cooperation agreement.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Ireland Nguyen Hoang Long, Da Nang and Birmingham City shared many similarities in terms of population size, potential, and economic and cultural strengths.

They both have developed service areas and are socio-economic hubs of Viet Nam and the UK. Notably, the two localities have already worked together in the establishment of the Viet Nam - UK University under the University of Da Nang.

On behalf of the Embassy of Viet Nam in the UK, Ambassador Long expressed his wish that the two sides continued to make efforts to promote the bilateral cooperative relationships. The Embassy of Viet Nam in the UK will do its utmost to create more favourable conditions for reinforcing the Da Nang - Birmingham cooperation.

Representatives of Da Nang and Birmingham City posing for a group photo

Also at the working session, Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh and Mr. Lloyd Broad, agreed on cooperative programmes between Da Nang and Birmingham City.

In the immediate future, the two sides prioritise boosting their cooperation in five fields: economic development, trade and investment; digital infrastructure, innovation and technology, Fintech; education and training; sustainable development of circular economy; and sports, tourism and cultural exchange.

The minutes were signed by representatives of the leaders of the Office of the Da Nang People's Committee, the municipal Department of Foreign Affairs, the Da Nang Institute of Socio-Economic Development, the Birmingham City Council, the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, the Aston University, and the Aston Villa football club under the witness of Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long and Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh.

This is the initial basis for connection, cooperation and trade between the two cities in the future with the goal of establishing a cooperative relationship and promoting sustainable development.

Reporting by GIA MINH - Translating by M.DUNG